This chapter is dedicated to Kiari 13, who helped me overcome the greatest curse of them all... writer's block!!
Chapter 4 - Family
"Are you prepared for this, Kagome?" Sango muttered to her, casting a nervous look in Inuyasha's direction.
Kagome shuddered. "After that car journey, I'm prepared for pearl harbour," she said blankly.
"My boyfriend has not got the best taste in music, it's true," murmured Sango. "Nor has he the best singing voice."
That was probably the reason he was nursing a bump to the head.
The mansion was…
Big.
Made out of a solid, grey stone, it was high and foreboding. Large double doors, encrusted with a giant metal design, harsh metal against the brown grain of the wood, gave a dangerous welcome. The windows stretched across the whole front of the house, long and arched and glass. A single glass window was set above these doors, the image of a man with long silver hair, and two swords at his side. He stood with his back to the newcomers, facing over a great, green landscape, with large rolling hills and a blue sky above him.
Kagome whistled.
"That's Inuyasha's father," Sango confided, pointing up at the image. "Inutaisho was one of the great dog demons, from a time long past. He died protecting his family – his wife Izayoi, and her newborn baby Inuyasha."
"What about Inuyasha's brother?"
"Sesshomaru? From what I gather, he had pretty much struck out on his own. Teenage angst, you know."
"How long ago was this?"
"Inutaisho died almost twenty years ago. He was over a thousand years old."
Kagome turned, wide-eyed, to Sango. "And Sesshomaru?"
"Sesshomaru… hmm. Not sure." She raised her voice. "Hey, Inuyasha!"
"What?!" came the disgruntled reply.
"How old is your brother?"
"Keh, how should I know? Not like I ever send him a birthday card. Five hundred or so, I think."
"Teenage angst?!" Kagome said incredulously to Sango.
"Poor choice of words, perhaps."
"So… how old is Inuyasha?"
"Twenty or so. We graduated at the same time, early, because of separate training."
"Will you two stop yapping and get a move on?!" Inuyasha called back to the two girls. "I'm gettin' old over here!"
"It doesn't show," said Miroku amiably.
Thump.
"Hey! What was that for?!"
"Being a pain in the arse."
"Well, excuuuuse me."
"How can you blame me for taking full advantage of the significantly female company?!" Sango interjected. "You two have been so testosterone-y around me, it's a wonder I still have breasts! I need proper companionship!"
"Oh, I assure you, Sango my dear, your breasts are of the highest quality. How can you blame us for having testosterone when we are around you all day?"
Thwack. "Pervert," Inuyasha muttered, stomping up the steps towards his ancestral home.
He rammed his fist against the door. "SESSHOMARU!" he bellowed. "COME AND OPEN YOUR FUCKING DOOR, BEFORE I BREAK IT DOWN!"
"Is he always this violent?" Kagome murmured to Sango, feeling slightly alarmed.
"Pretty much."
The door creaked open. Behind it stood a sweet little girl, looking out timidly.
She was dressed in tiny orange dungarees, over a light-green t-shirt. One side of her hair was held up against her head by two bobbly hair bands.
"What does 'fucking' mean?" she asked curiously.
Inuyasha's eyes widened in sheer panic.
"Rin!" came a voice from behind. "Where are you, sweetheart?"
A tall woman came up behind the little girl. She had jet black hair, accessorised by jewelled clips and a single feather, and large crimson eyes.
Youkai, Kagome's senses chimed.
She came to the door, and stood, looking out in wonderment.
"Inuyasha? It's good to see you again!" she said warmly, kissing his cheek. "It's been too long."
"Yeah, you too, Kagura," Inuyasha said uncomfortably. He reached one hand over his shoulder and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Who's the kid?"
"This is Rin," Kagura said, putting one hand on the little girl's shoulder. "Your brother found her on the streets."
"And he took her in?!" Inuyasha's look was incredulous.
Kagura laughed. "That was my reaction," she said warmly. "But I'm glad he did."
Kneeling down to the little girl's level, she swiped a few stray hairs behind her ears.
"Why don't you go and find Jaken?" she suggested. "See if he'll take you swimming."
Smiling, the little girl leant forward and kissed Kagura's cheek, before running off.
Kagura straightened and turned to regard those at the door.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to talk, to explain, but Kagura swiftly held a hand up to cut him off.
"I don't want to hear about it," she said simply. "This home belongs to both you and your brother, and I have no say in what goes on. You're gonna have to discuss this with Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha groaned. "I was afraid you were gonna say that," he muttered. "You know he won't listen to me."
"Whatever," Kagura said dismissively. "Keep your negative view, it's clouding up my happy one. Now, Miroku and Sango I know, but who is this?" she asked, directing her look towards Kagome.
Kagome instinctively took a step backwards. She was so strong! She could practically feel the wind whipping at her face.
Kagura saw her expression and laughed. "I won't bite," she told Kagome teasingly.
"This is the reason we're here," said Inuyasha dismissively. "Can we come in? And where's my bastard of a brother?"
"If I recall correctly, it is you who is the bastard, little brother," came a chilled voice from behind Kagura.
Kagome's eyes widened. This demon, whoever he was, was even stronger than Kagura! She could feel the sheer enormity of his power reverberating back and forth from his place on the staircase. It made her teeth ache. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, as Kik- as she had been taught, and pushed the feeling away.
Inuyasha growled, bearing his teeth.
"Sesshomaru."
…
"Fuck it, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha growled, slamming his hand down on the desk, which buckled under the force. "I'm sick of this bloody holier-than-thou attitude you've got towards me!"
Sesshomaru observed his little brother. "I believe this holier-than-thou attitude you're talking about is called 'calm'," he said mildly. "And would you please refrain from breaking my furniture. This desk is antique."
Inuyasha growled, snatching his hand back. Closing his eyes, he attempted to breathe evenly.
"Sesshomaru, I just need a place to stay. Just for a short while."
"No."
Breathing exercises…
"Why not?"
"Why should I?"
They had to work, soon…
"Because I am your brother, and I own this house too."
"You have neglected to take responsibility; therefore, until you do, I am the soul guardian of our father's mansion."
He was almost sure these breathing exercises didn't work…
"I need a place for this girl to stay, I place where I know she'll – and Miroku and Sango – will be safe."
"Humans are pathetic. They have no place here."
Fuck it, these exercises DID NOT work.
"Sesshomaru, I swear to God, I-"
There was a timid knock at the door.
"Enter," Sesshomaru stated calmly.
The door was pushed open a crack, and a small girl pushed her head through.
"Uncle Sesshy?" she asked, in a little voice.
"Yes, Rin?"
"I… I was wondering… if you would come swimming with Rin later."
"Rin, I am busy."
"I know, I know!" she said earnestly. "But you swim much better than Jaken, and Rin likes it when you swim with Rin on your back!"
Sesshomaru closed his eyes, completely ignoring the smirk Inuyasha was giving him.
"We shall see," he said evenly.
Rin nodded, and closed the door behind her.
Sesshomaru opened his eyes and sent a look that would have sunk Atlantis towards Inuyasha.
"Don't. Say. A word."
"Humans have no place here, eh?" Inuyasha grinned.
"What did I just tell you?"
"That you'd like for me and my human companions to stay here? Why, how very kind of you, Sesshomaru."
"I said no such thing."
Inuyasha sighed. Looking his brother square in the eye, he said one word.
"Naraku."
It didn't even take a second before Sesshomaru was in action, signing papers, and glancing continuously back towards the swords crossed on his wall.
"Stay as long as you like."
…
"Inuyasha was grinning widely as he entered the sitting room in which Kagome, Sango and Miroku were sitting.
"We're staying."
Kagome smiled at him wanly; however, Miroku and Sango just looked at him suspiciously.
"What did you say to him?" Sango asked, narrowing her eyes at the hanyou.
"Oh, I just waved the benefits of our involvement in front of his extra-sensitive nose."
"And that was all it took?" Miroku asked, also narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"Oh yes," Inuyasha said, still grinning. "That was all."
"If that's so, why are you smiling so much?"
"Oh, no reason." Inuyasha relaxed into an armchair, which almost swallowed him up. Crossing his arms behind his head, he looked towards the ornate ceiling. "What a beautiful day it is," he remarked, to no one in particular.
"Did Sesshomaru drug you? Did you drug him?" Sango asked, her eyebrows disappearing up her forehead.
"No, no, nothing like that," Inuyasha said mildly, that grin still firmly fixed on his face.
He looked around the motley group.
"How would you guys feel about going for a swim?"
...
Gack!! Please don't kill me!! I'm really, really sorry about this!! I had a busy summer, and I swear these teachers are trying to kill me, and I'm writer's block-ed, and...
Ok, yeah, enough lame excuses. Still, I hope this is ok!! Please enjoy, and I'm sorry if it's a bit short!!
Libra xx
